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A Place for Encounters and Dialogue

Kreisau/Krzyżowa is a vibrant place of encounters and dialogue. For over 30 years, young people from diverse countries and cultural backgrounds have gathered here. They learn from and with one another, experience the strength of intercultural community, and are empowered in their societal engagement.

These international meetings build bridges between nations, religions, and generations, creating a foundation for shaping a shared future.

Young people from Lubsko (PL) and Forst (DE) get to know each other playfully, transcending language barriers.
During the “Model International Criminal Court,” participants learn to advocate for human rights.
Where do I stand, and where do others stand? At “Roots and Borders,” young people exchange views on identity, migration, and border demarcation.
The Kreisau estate offers ample space for engaging educational programmes and encounters.
The inclusive programme “Bridging the Gap” acts as a kaleidoscope of meetings, where young people connect worlds through the power of community and creative exchange.
Seminars, lectures, and events are held in the stately castle.
At “Uprooted,” trainers and educators examine the history of stolen children during World War II and develop methods to address this topic with young people.
Kreisau connects civil society. The “Bosch Alumni Meeting” in Kreisau is, for many, a reunion with old friends, a rediscovery of Kreisau, and an opportunity to reflect on and renew their civic engagement.
The “International Inclusive Dance Festival” 2022 featured the raising of the Ukrainian flag as a gesture of solidarity.
“Music for Future” creates movement: building musical communities, fostering integration and understanding, and offering music as a beacon of hope for peace.
“Once Upon Today… in Europe” strengthens the exchange of memory cultures in Europe. Educators develop methods to explore historical narratives and personal biographies with young people.
A visit to the outdoor exhibition “Courage and Reconciliation” is a staple of every school exchange in Kreisau, including for participants from Wrocław and Wiesbaden.
The historic House on the Hill radiates its unique charm, even in winter.
Young people from nearly every European country participate in Kreisau’s projects, with most coming from Germany, Poland, and Ukraine.
Breaking down barriers is a core goal of Kreisau’s inclusive projects.
Since 2014, the high-calibre international chamber music festival “Krzyżowa-Music” has been held in Kreisau.
Upside-down perspectives foster creativity. At the “Little Art Forge,” children unleash their creative talents.
Participants in a networking event discuss the future of educational work in the field of socio-ecological transformation and explore the possibilities of German-Polish collaboration.
The outdoor exhibition “Courage and Reconciliation” offers remarkable insights, even from a distance.
At the start of the summer holidays, clowns from the “Red Noses Foundation” surprise Ukrainian children from Kreisau and its surroundings with a special performance. This, too, is part of Krzyżowa´s Ukraine Support.

  • “The programme didn’t just teach me the importance of the legal system but also showed me how crucial it is to engage with people, even if they have different perspectives.”

    A participant in the “Model International Criminal Court” programme, 2023

  • “I’ve realised that there is no difference between people from Germany and Poland.”

    A participant in the “My Story, Your Story” programme, 2020

  • “What I like most about this place is simply the atmosphere. It’s such a wonderful setting. Everyone is in harmony, and we’re able to grow not just musically but also linguistically.”

    A participant in “Music for Future,” 2022

At Kreisau/Krzyżowa, learning from and through history holds a unique significance. It is a place where individuals built bridges across societal divides to collaboratively envision a Europe beyond National Socialism. In the 1980s, civil society actors laid the groundwork here for a new beginning in German-Polish relations and for an intercultural site of remembrance and encounter.

Resistance, reconciliation, dialogue, peace, and encounter are the values taught by the history of Kreisau/Krzyżowa. For the New Kreisau, these are both its foundation and inspiration.

Kreisau/Krzyżowa makes a meaningful impact. Each year, approximately 15,000 young people from over 30 countries participate in Kreisau’s projects. In safe spaces, intercultural encounters and international remembrance work take place. Young people learn how to collaboratively shape a democratic, solidarity-based, and sustainable coexistence in Europe. Numerous seminars and training sessions are also targeted at teachers and facilitators in youth work.

You can learn more about the individual educational projects on the websites of the Kreisau Initiative e.V. and the Kreisau Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe.

The international chamber music festival Krzyżowa-Music brings together new musical talents with experienced musicians from around the world and organises annual concerts in Germany and Poland. Alongside its musical performances, the festival hosts symposia on cultural and socio-political topics and supports musicians affected by war through the initiative Musicians help Musicians.

Krzyżowa-Music was established in 2014 as a collaborative project between the Kreisau Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe, the Kreisau Initiative e.V., and the Freya von Moltke Foundation for the New Kreisau.

The legacy of Kreisau is carried forward by three organisations based in Poland and Germany: the Kreisau Initiative e.V., the Kreisau Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe, and the Freya von Moltke Foundation for the New Kreisau. Each has distinct historical origins and areas of focus, but they are united by a shared conviction: democracy thrives on understanding and dialogue. All of these organizations aim to convey the legacy of resistance and the spirit of German-Polish reconciliation to new generations. Their goals are pursued in partnership with over 100 organizations worldwide.

The Kreisau Initiative e.V., founded in 1989 by citizens from East and West Berlin, creates spaces for learning and encounters for young people. Its educational projects focus on contemporary history and human rights, socio-ecological transformation, and inclusion. It organizes international and inclusive youth exchanges, as well as training and seminars for youth work professionals. The organisation is based in Berlin.

The Krzyżowa Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe, established in 1989/90, operates the largest international youth meeting centre in Central and Eastern Europe, located in Krzyżowa. It offers educational projects on historical and political topics, as well as ecological and artistic initiatives, with a particular emphasis on international school exchanges. The foundation is based in Krzyżowa.

The Freya von Moltke Foundation for the New Kreisau was created in 2004 as a charitable community foundation. Its mission is to support the international meeting and memorial centre in Kreisau through fundraising. The foundation funds youth projects, staff positions, and infrastructure initiatives while building an endowment to ensure Kreisau’s long-term sustainability. It seeks to generate public interest in the site, its history, and its current activities. The foundation is based in Berlin.

With Russia’s attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Kreisau/Krzyżowa opened its doors to those who had to leave the country due to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. In March 2022, Kreisau/Krzyżowa became a safe haven, offering not only accommodation and essential supplies, but also support and care in many aspects of daily life to guests from Ukraine. A total of 177 people – half of them children and young people – found a temporary home in Kreisau/Krzyżowa.

Since January 2025, the reception center for refugees has been closed, but the Krzyżowa Ukraine Support continues to be actively pursued: Krzyżowa is committed to supporting young people from Ukraine and assisting the Ukrainian civil society in enduring the war and shaping a European future for their country. Recreational spaces are being created for Ukrainian youth, and participation in international school exchanges is being actively facilitated. In addition, international collaboration with Ukrainian teachers, trainers, and young leaders is being intensified.

Learn more about Krzyżowa Ukraine Support.

Kreisau/Krzyżowa has received several awards for its work.

Awards for the Freya von Moltke Foundation for the New Kreisau / Its Namesake

  • Verdienstkreuz am Bande für Helmuth Caspar von Moltke, 2025
  • Verdienstkreuz 1. Klasse für Dr. Axel Smend, 2025
  • Kulturpreis Schlesien des Landes Niedersachsen, 2009
  • Adam-Mickiewicz-Preis, 2009 (Freya von Moltke)
  • Ehrendoktorwürde des Dartmouth College, 1999 (Freya von Moltke)
  • Brückepreis der Stadt Görlitz, 1999 (Freya von Moltke)

Awards for the Kreisau Initiative e.V.

  • Bernhard-Vogel-Bildungspreis „Chancen schaffen – Chancen nutzen“, 2022
  • Verdienstkreuz am Bande für Annemarie Cordes und Meike Völker, 2016
  • 25 Jahre Mauerfall – Geschichte erinnern, Gegenwart gestalten, 2014
  • Deutschland wird inklusiv – wir sind dabei! 2011
  • Europeans for Peace, 2010
  • Aktiv für Demokratie und Toleranz 2009, 2010
  • Ort im Land der Ideen, 2010
  • Einheitspreis, 2008
  • Marion Dönhoff Preis, 2007
  • Junge Wege in Europa, 2007
  • JugendMitVerantwortung, 2007
  • Anerkennungspreis, 2006
  • Bündnis für Demokratie und Toleranz, 2006
  • Theodor-Heuss-Medaille, 1993

Awards for the Kreisau Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe

  • Preis des Oberbürgermeisters von Breslau/Wrocław, 2025
  • Preis der Fürstin Hedwig von Schlesien, 2023
  • Altiero Spinelli Preis, 2019
  • Erika-Pitzer-Preis, 2016
  • Tadeusz Szymański Preis, 2011
  • Europeans for Peace, 2010
  • Preis des Landkreises Schweidnitz, 2009
  • Kulturpreis Schlesien des Landes Niedersachsen, 2009
  • Deutsch-Polnischer Preis für besondere Verdienste um die Entwicklung der deutsch-polnischen Beziehungen, 2008
  • Pro Publico Bono, 2007
  • JugendMitVerantwortung, 2006
  • Sergio Vieira de Mello Preis, 2005
  • Der Niederschlesische Schlüßel des Erfolgs, 1999
  • Theodor-Heuss-Medaille, 1993

Awards for Krzyżowa-Music

  • Verdienstkreuz am Bande für Viviane Hagner, 2024
  • Hosenfeld-Szpilman-Preis, 2023
  • Kulturpreis Schlesien des Landes Niedersachsen für Dr. Matthias von Hülsen, Gesamtleiter von Krzyżowa-Music, 2023
  • Verdienstkreuz am Bande für Dr. Matthias von Hülsen, 2020